Nikita Tszyu has undergone a pre-war ritual before pledging to obliterate Spaniard Oscar Diaz in their super-welterweight stoush in Newcastle.
Intent on protecting not only his own undefeated record but his family’s proud 53-0 win-loss tally in Australia, Tszyu is promising to take no prisoners on Wednesday night.
Hence why the 28-year-old shaved his head before Tuesday’s weigh-in.
“This is my war face,” Tszyu said.
“Hair has no purpose in a fight so the less I have holding me back. I like to strip away from caring about any kind of physical appearance and it’s all about being practical.”
After struggling to make weight on some of his previous professional fights, Tszyu looked a physical specimen after hitting the scales at a comfortable 69.40kg – almost half a kilo under the limit.
“I’m ready to hurt him,” the Sydney slayer said.
“It’s been a good one, the last couple of days, but I think most of it just comes from consistency, the training that I’ve been doing.
“It’s not like one single fight each time. This whole boxing career is a journey. You can take steps and growth as every fight progresses so, in theory, I should be getting better and better each day.
“Each day I should look in better condition.”
After dieting on his wife’s breast milk, and even her placenta, as well as snake’s blood, the quirky Tszyu has reverted to the more conventional cow’s milk in the lead-up to this bout.
“My daughter’s breast milk, so it’s a shame that,” he said.
“No, milk’s milk. Very healthy for you. It’s got a lot of vitamin – everything that the body needs at this point. A couple of sips and I feel rejuvenated.”
The also undefeated Diaz (16-0, 6KOs) met Tszyu’s threat with a simple “Let’s go” response.
Ranked sixth with the IBF, Tszyu could climb to No.3 with both that organisation and the WBO with victory at the so-called “Tszyu-Castle” Entertainment Centre.
Older brother Tim knocked out Tony Harrison in 2023 to claim the WBO super-welterweight title and now there is talk the American could be Nikita’s next potential opponent later this year.
Fellow Americans Jaron “Boots” Ennis and ex-world champ Keith Thurman, who also fought in Sydney last year against Brock Jarvis, and reigning IBF belt holder Josh Kelly are other names being floated to take on the younger Tszyu.
But having fought just three rounds in past two years either side of hand surgery and a farcical no-contest stoppage against Michael Zerafa last December, Tszyu is happy to bide his time before accepting any world-title shot.
“Tick off some check boxes (first),” he said.
“Things that have worked in sparring and have then been translated into fights, so that I am physically or skilfully improving.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
